Conference Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The American Bar Association (ABA) was founded with a commitment to advance the rule of law in the United States and beyond. The organization provides practical resources for legal professionals, conducts law school accreditation, develops model ethics codes, and more. The ABA is a member-based organization that works to ensure access to justice for all, a fair legal process, and respect for the rule of law both domestically and internationally. The ABA is dedicated to service and refining the standards that guide the legal profession, offering multiple types of continuing education and career development opportunities to its staff. The organization values the contributions of its staff and provides a generous benefits package that includes health and financial security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security options, such as 401(k), medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health spending accounts, supplemental life and disability insurance, prepaid legal programs, and a complimentary membership to the ABA, which offers additional benefits. Flexible or hybrid work arrangements may be available for residents of certain states, and employees are eligible to apply for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).

Job Overview:
The Conference Manager will independently manage and plan complex conferences in alignment with the strategic plan and directives from the Meetings and/or Section Director. This role encompasses a variety of responsibilities including hotel selection, vendor contract negotiations, budget development, project timeline creation, and detailed planning for event logistics. The Conference Manager will also be responsible for developing promotional and marketing plans, managing the CLE accreditation process, and coordinating all speaker and sponsor arrangements. On-site management of the overall conference and its catered events is a critical aspect of this position. The role requires collaboration with volunteers or program committees to determine scheduling, space assignments, and program content for each conference. Additionally, travel is a necessary component of this position, as the Conference Manager will need to oversee events in various locations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary duties and responsibilities of the Conference Manager include: 1. Managing and planning complex conferences, which involves site selection, contract negotiations, budget development, and creating project timelines and event specifications. 2. Directly managing a meeting coordinator or meeting planner level position to oversee daily operations of the event planning team. 3. Handling logistics for entity-wide events, including scheduling, space assignments, group activities, catering, and vendor communications. 4. Traveling to and independently managing conferences and events, ensuring the CLE accreditation process is followed, coordinating with speakers, on-site staff, and vendors. 5. Managing and coordinating member and volunteer responsibilities and deadlines related to assigned conferences. 6. Performing other related duties as required to ensure the success of the events.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Conference Manager position include: 1. A Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university or equivalent experience. 2. A minimum of 3-6 years of experience in meeting planning and management. 3. Proficiency in Microsoft Office software, including Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint. 4. Strong written and oral communication skills are essential for effective collaboration and coordination.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university or have equivalent experience in a related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of event planning and management.

Experience:
The position requires 3-6 years of meeting planning and management experience. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the Conference Manager can effectively handle the complexities of planning and executing large-scale conferences and events.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, strong written and oral communication skills in English are essential. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The American Bar Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming applicants from diverse backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities and veterans. The organization complies with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) and provides accommodations for applicants with disabilities. The job may involve normal office conditions, and travel is required for the position. The specifics regarding contract duration, seniority level, and whether the position is full-time or part-time are not detailed in the job description.